One of the main reasons USB became so popular is because it greatly reduced the number of different cables required by peripherals.
In it's original design USB had just one host port on a computer. If you needed to connect more than one device to the port you used a Hub.
A Hub is a device which allows multiple devices to access one USB host port. You can connect hubs together to allow more devices to access the host. It didn't take long before computers started adding more USB ports.
In it's original design USB also required only one cable type, the USB-A to USB-B (or A to B) cable. The USB-A and USB-B connectors were new connectors designed specifically for the USB interface. Eventually a smaller connector was introduced, the USB Mini-B.
It didn't take long before devices that were once Serial or Parallel were connecting into the USB port. Originally a very slow interface, the newer USB interfaces also allow the connection of high speed devices like external storage.

USB RULES and SETUP
1) The maximum distance from Host to Hub, or Host to Device, is 5 meters (16.4 foot) unless an in-line booster is used.
2) The USB-A connector plugs into the host adapter.
3) The USB-B or Mini-B connector plugs into the peripheral device.
4) The USB Host (and/or Hub) may provide a small amount of power to the peripheral device. (see the manual of your Host or Hub)
5) You can cascade up to 4 levels of hubs.
NOTE: if you need your USB cables to be longer than 5 meters please see our USB extenders.

To connect one device into a USB port simply connect the USB-A connector to the port and the USB-B (or Mini-B) connector to the device.
The USB-A connector is a flat rectangular connector.
The USB-B connector is square.

To connect more than one device into a USB port requires a USB Hub. Connect a USB cable from the Host to the Hub. Connect the cables from the peripheral devices into the Hub. If the Hub requires power don't forget to connect the power adapter.

Currently the only two cable types in use in USB are the A to B cable and the A to Mini-B cable.

CABLE SKUS
19061CL-xF-1E is the Sku for standard USB 2.0 A to B cables in Distribution. They have a clear jacket. The x represents the length in feet. They are available in 3, 6, 10 and 16 foot cables.
19061FW-xF-1E is the Sku for standard USB 2.0 A to B cables in Distribution. They have a frost white colored jacket. The x represents the length. They are available in 3, 6 and 10 foot.
19102CLxF-1E is the Sku for standard USB 2.0 A to Mini-B cables in Distribution. The x represents the length. They are available in 6 and 10 foot.
19151-xM is the Sku for a USB-A 3.0 Male to USB-B Male cables in Distribution. They have a blue jacket. The x represents the length. They are available in 1, 2 and 3 meter.

Cables packaged for Distribution are packaged in a clear plastic bag with the Sku, Description and UPC.
We also have Skus for cables packaged in retail clamshell packaging.

All of our USB cables are made in strict compliance with all USB specifications.